Pymble Plus – Experienced Teacher Pathway

Expressions of Interest for 2024 have now closed for the Pymble Plus Experienced Teacher Accreditation Pathway.  An explanation of the program, the entry criteria and the selection process are outlined below. Details of the full process can be found in the brochure at the bottom of the page.

Key Dates for Selection Process 2024:

Call for Expressions of Interest opens:  20/02/2024

Mandatory Preliminary Meeting: 29/02/2024 - 12:50 to 1:25 – Hedgehog House Meeting Room in JS or  05/03/2024 12:50 to 1:25 - Heritage Centre - (Please advise Monique Grzelska of your intention to attend) ​

Closing Date for Expressions of Interest  and Attestation Recommendation sent to  Kerryl Howarth - Director of Professional Learning:  15/03/2024

Panel Interviews - Weeks 9 to 10  Term 1

Successful candidates informed by 12/04/2023

What is Pymble Plus?

At Pymble we respect the diverse pathways which teachers take as they progress through their careers. We recognise and value the richness of expertise and experience that this diversity brings to the college with a multitude of benefits for our students.  In actively employing teachers with varied career paths, we acknowledge our responsibility for providing multiple pathways that reward excellence and retain talent.

Pymble plus is an internal accreditation pathway which aims to recognise, celebrate and reward teaching excellence at the Experienced Teacher level. It is designed as an internal alternative to the ISTAA Experienced Teacher Pathway.

The process of achieving the internal Pymble Plus accreditation prioritises:

·       Demonstrated excellence and expertise in classroom practice

·       The actioning of the college's core values: Courage, Integrity, Responsibility, Respect, Care

·       The realisation of our strategic direction under the four pillars: Academic, Emotional, Digital, Social

·       Teacher agency

·       Positive impact on student learning

This accreditation is exclusive to Pymble.

The qualities of a Pymble Plus Teacher

Teachers who are accredited as a Pymble Plus Teacher live the core values of the school. They make learning enabling choices and demonstrate community supportive behaviours as outlined in the Pymble Learning Philosophy (Play Books) (currently in draft) and work collaboratively with others to support the college in realising its strategic direction.

Pymble Plus Teachers are highly proficient teachers who have in-depth knowledge of their subject content. They have significant expertise in their ability to differentiate their teaching to meet the needs of the full range of learners they work with on a daily basis.

These teachers develop a strong understanding of their students' stories, including their social, emotional and academic background and needs. They apply this knowledge and their expansive repertoire of teaching and learning strategies to make adjustments and design learning engagements to meet the needs of their students. Establishing safe, secure, nurturing and challenging learning environments is at the core of their practice.

Pymble Plus teachers are reflective practitioners who recognise their successes and consider their areas for growth. They use data, research and other forms of evidence to refine their teaching practice, develop learning engagements and design effective assessments with clear success criteria. They engage students in cycles of feedback, informed by formative and summative assessments. They provide clear and future focused reports to parents and caregivers.

Positive, productive relationships with students, parents, colleagues and members of the wider school community are a hallmark of the Pymble plus teacher. Effective communication is reflected in the relationships these teachers develop

Pymble Plus teachers demonstrate the qualities of life-long learners. They engage proactively in a range of professional learning experiences to constantly refine and grow their practice and professional knowledge. They are collaborative, supportive colleagues who make significant contributions to their teams, including the mentoring and growth of others. They actively contribute to the college and wider community.

These qualities are aligned with the ISTAA Professional Teaching Standards for Experienced Teacher.

Entry Criteria

The Pymble plus program is open to teachers with a minimum of 5 years full time (or equivalent) Proficient Teacher experience. Teachers with international teaching experience as well as industry experience, where the applicant has at least three years of full time (or equivalent) teaching experience, will also be considered for this program.

Applications for the program will be taken in Term 1 of the academic year. Teachers who apply must:

1. ·   Already be demonstrating performance against all ISTAA Experienced Teacher Standards and descriptors

2. ·       Be committed to making a substantial and sustained contribution to the College in support of strategic growth

3. ·       Have participated in the preliminary meeting on Pymble Plus and Experienced Teacher, where similarities, differences and expectations are identified

Approach

The intent of the Pymble Plus process is for the candidates to engage in a professional learning and development project in a teacher identified area of interest that is connected to student need.

Candidates work for a period of two terms, on a professional learning and development project which they design in consultation with their coaching panel.

Candidates document their learning journey and share progress with their coaching panel.

Teachers draw from the Pymble values and strategic pillars as well as the selected Experienced Descriptors outlined below, to support them in the articulation of their project.

The project should provide the candidate with opportunities to:

1.       Draw from research into successful practice in the target area

2.       Apply professional learning into classroom practice

3.       Refine and grow the practice over time

4.       Measure and document impact on student learning

5.       Share the learning with colleagues for the purpose of expanding their professional knowledge and expertise

6.       Create a documentary artefact that can be used by other members of the college to improve their professional knowledge and expertise. (e.g., learning journal, journal article, video)

Selection Process

Candidates who fulfill the entry criteria are welcome to apply for a place on the program by working through the following process:

1.   Meet with your Head of Learning Area or the Junior School Deputy Head – Curriculum to discuss your readiness. They will either:

a.   Attest to your readiness to continue your application using the Template Below, or 

b.   Set professional goals in collaboration with you to develop your expertise to support an application in the future

2.    Submit an Expression of Interest to the Director of Professional Learning as well as your Head of Learning Area in Secondary or Deputy Head - Curriculum in Junior School.

EOI:  1 A4 page outlining examples how you meet the Eligibility Criteria and why you feel Pymble Plus is the Experienced Teacher pathway that suits your needs.

3.   Discuss your candidacy with the selection panel.  The selection panel shall include the Director of Professional Learning and two other members of the school executive.

 During this session you will talk about:

a. How you are demonstrating the experienced teacher standard using five of the following    descriptors: 1.3, 1.6, 2.1, 2.3, 3.4, 3.6, 5.4, 5.1, 5.3

b. How you are currently addressing descriptors 6.1, 6.4, 7.4

c. The proposed focus for the project component including additional areas that may be addressed

d. Possible alignment of the project with the Strategic direction of the College.

Candidates will be informed of the outcome of their application once all interviews are completed.